A man is facing life in prison after yesterday admitting murdering a former soldier outside a pub.

Christopher Philp pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court to cutting the throat of father-of-two Stephen Pinker outside the Corner House pub in Hollow Way, Cowley, Oxford.

The 26-year-old spoke only to confirm his name and to reply "guilty" when the single charge of murder was put to him as he stood in the dock at Oxford Crown Court.

His plea was met with a gasp from the public gallery, where the victim's friends and family were sitting.

Last night Mr Pinker's fiancee Rebecca Holmes welcomed the guilty plea and paid tribute to her former partner.

The 28-year-old Witney mother-of-two, who witnessed the murder on Tuesday, March 25, said: "We are pleased with the outcome today.

"Stephen was the best bloke you could ever meet.

"He had a fantastic sense of humour. Everyone who knew him loved him to bits.

"The guilty plea was a surprise. The whole of Stephen's family was there."

When asked her feelings towards Philp, Miss Holmes added: "It is nothing to do with hate.

"At the end of the day it is wanting to know why."

Mr Pinker, 43, a former member of the Royal Green Jackets, died after being slashed with a blade.

Police and paramedics were called to the incident and rushed Mr Pinker to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital but the former serviceman had lost so much blood that doctors were unable to save him.

Mr Pinker also leaves his ex-wife Sharon and children Luke, 20, and Emily, 17.

Philp was arrested and was charged with murder two days after the attack.

Yesterday he wore a blue tracksuit top with a crucifix on a long chain around his neck as he sat in the dock.

He appeared impassive during the brief hearing, as Nicholas Syfret, defending, asked the judge to adjourn the hearing so the Probation Service could prepare a report.

Mr Syfret said he had agreed with prosecutor Tony McGeorge that before sentencing he would submit a basis on which the guilty plea had been entered.

If there is any dispute then the sentencing may be adjourned.

Judge Patrick Eccles told Philp: "Your case is going to be adjourned until July 17.

"On that occasion you will be brought back to court to be sentenced, although if there remains serious disagreement about the basis, it may be the judge will have to give further directions."

He remanded the defendant in custody until the sentencing hearing.

Philp, of Halliday Hill, Northway, Oxford, showed no emotion as he was led from the dock.